Endless Space 2: An Unfallen Chronicle – Episode 1

The Unfallen greet you, wanderer. I am called Alagret, chronicler and scribe to Arasch, the First of Seconds. In the name of the Heart and of harmony, it is my honor to bear witness to his exploits as we entwine the galaxy for the good of all life forms.

For centuries, we slumbered on our pristine and somber home world, Koyasil. Now, we find ourselves called to act by those that wield sacred fire as a weapon for destruction. Perhaps some day, once your star system is entwined, you may be able to visit Koyasil for yourself. For now, gaze upon its somber beauty from afar, and feel the warmth it brings to the Heart. If a creature like you is capable of such perception, that is.

We have seen the destruction wrought upon the galaxy by those with simple minds and insatiable appetites, and we will no longer lie dormant. The time has come for us to expand our vines, so that the galaxy may know the warmth of the Heart.

However, it seems the galaxy has other ideas. The planets in the nearby Giazar star system hold little potential for life. Our Seeds would remain closed in their frigid winds, and our roots could not crack their icy surfaces. The First Glowing Embers will continue their search.

The universe has played a trick on the Unfallen. Our second inquiry into the Lesath system yields too much Fire-That-Destroys, and not enough Fire-That-Renews. This star burns with a fierce heat that we crave, but we could not endure it. The crew of the First Glowing Embers grows weary, and has already traveled far from our home.

Meanwhile, we have begun construction of a Drone Network in our home system of Regulus. This will enhance our food stores, and allow us more effective means of production. These drones are unnatural curiosities, cool to the touch and void of life. But they follow the will of the First of Seconds like the rest of us.

And we are pleased at the installment of a new senator, Lunabarxes. As our democracy expands to incorporate all life forms, her wisdom will ensure balance among the chaos. Our mission will require the eldest and most capable of our kind, as we seek to heal the galaxy of its destructive nature.

We have existed on Koyasil since time immemorial, and we were content to remain there in isolation. But how well can one sleep when fire reigns down from the heavens? Now, we shall explore the universe and marvel at its infinite curiosities, and offer our pity to the violent creatures that stirred us from our slumber.

Although we have still not encountered a star system with planets hospitable for our kin, we have found one of those curiosities in the Bundus system. They are beings that call themselves Kalgeros. We have extended a branch of introduction to these compact creatures. Their small stature does not hide from us the fierce fire with which their hearts burn.

We shall see if they prove to be allies in our pursuit, or if they succumb to the warring tendencies that seem so common among this galaxy’s forms of life. And there is another, more advanced life form just on the other side of the Bundus star system. They are led by a curiously aggressive creature who calls herself Jenestra Omalfi’Meos, and her people are the Lumeris.

She intrigues us, because although she is not openly aggressive, we can feel the force of her power, just standing in her presence. The First of Seconds has decided to regard her with reservation, for now, and we believe she has come to the same conclusion about us. Our meeting with this race has given us some perspective…

And we find ourselves praising our newfound friends, the Kalgeros, for their kind and noble demeanor. The First of Seconds is happy to share this galaxy with their kind. His thoughts on the Lumeris, for now, he keeps to himself. These interactions with outsiders are already becoming exhausting.

Back on Koyasil, it appears we have completed our research on the basic principals of Xenobiology. I am told this new technology will allow us to break the cold shell across the crust of some of these planets, digging deep roots toward their burning cores. This does not immediately sound appealing to me, but some of our more adventurous kin have decided to head to the Giazar system, where one of the planets has become more appealing since this technological development.

The 1st Glowing Embers arrives, and sets to work wrapping our celestial vines across the breadth of the Giazar system. As we bring it into our fold, harmony will wash through it like cosmic dust.

Which reminds me, there is this strange substance called dust that others in this galaxy seem to value. In particular, the Lumeris are quite preoccupied with it. Alone, it is an irrevocably inert substance, but we have noted that as it is gathered together, it springs forth with activity. It is not life, but it awakes.

As I write, our envoys have relayed a message of cordiality from the little Kalgeros, and they bring us some of their dust in offering. We are unsure how best to use it, but dare not reject their generosity. They also have offered us a share of their other resources. I find their food a bit strange. It is much unlike our own, but as our empire expands and others are brought into the fold, it should find its purpose.

Word has made it to Koyasil that an ancient and curious institution lies dormant somewhere in this galaxy. It is a storied place of legend, and perhaps nothing more. We will investigate in our own time. For now, I leave Koyasil to rendezvous wit the 1st Glowing Embers in the Giazar system. I have been granted a small respite, and aim to watch as our celestial vines entwine the star system. It takes centuries, but the beauty of young growing vines is absolutely enchanting, to those with the patience to observe it.

Endless Space 2 is a turn-based, science fiction 4X game developed by Amplitude Studios and published by Sega. It is available via Steam.